Absence

So sorry everyone.... indeed if anyone has missed me!  Life has been really overwhelming this last few months.  Ohhhh, the roller coaster joys of trying to sell a property and all within a short timeframe has been so stressful and at times I have definitely wanted to run away to some beautiful island and live in a tent!  I am still going through it, waiting to see if the latest buyer comes through... the viewings, the surveys, the valuations, back and forth.. arghh!   It is not something anyone wants to go through at the best of times, but when you are 92 years old  (not me, my Aunt, although, I have to say I feel 92 on some days!), it is not an easy task.  

In between all this, I have been cooking, caring, painting, printmaking and gardening and consequently my blog has gone by the wayside.  I don't get out much either, so no beautiful British landscapes to show you.  Thank goodness for Cambridge School of Art.  (Anglia Ruskin University) I continue to print in their print room as I supervise one evening a week.  It is a life saver for sure.  Plus I have been and continue to do some print workshops at the Archaeology and Anthropology Museum in Cambridge with my printmaking friend, Lizzie (Bertie) Smith.  Oh, yes, I also got an interesting etching commission for a dung beetle which I sent to Singapore.

I am at the moment getting ready for a very important print exhibition in Edinburgh as a consequence of showing my cabinet at the Scottish Society of Artists annual exhibition last November.  Thank you Scottish Society of Artists!   I am thrilled and excited to have been offered a chance to exhibit my work at The Open Eye Gallery in Edinburgh on 27th June. Thanks to Cambridge School of Art Print room for making it possible for me to prepare for this exhibition.

Pond Petals ii - Graphite

Pond Petals i - Graphite

Summer Clouds 5 x 7 in oil panel

Stow Cum Quy - 6 x 12 in - oil panel 

Well, I did manage to make a trip to Scotland, so here is Badger on the hill up in the Southern Uplands, just outside of Biggar.

Being afraid.

I am down in Cornwall at the moment.  I just couldn't wait to sit by the sea.  I was particularly looking for some big rocks and yesterday I found myself at Mullion Cove.  What a wonderful place.  I sat at the end of one of piers and drew. (Someone kindly took this photo of me for me!)

I noticed some people on a beach on the other side of the pier, but I couldn't see how they had got there.  High cliffs behind and no visible way down.  I enquired later in the afternoon and was told that access was via a cave from the harbour area that had been created by the waves over time.  Being Mrs. Sensible, I also enquired about the tides.  I had about half an hour to navigate the cave before the tide turned.  The cave was very very dark, but I could see light in the distance.  To be honest, the cave wasn't that long,  but I was alone and feeling cautious!  The last thing I wanted was to be airlifted off the beach, which I was told has happened a few times.  I got half way down the cave and completely lost my nerve.  Then another couple came along and in lemming style, I followed!  Unfortunately, the lady, who was not wearing sensible shoes, fell quite badly and they turned back, but by this stage, I was having a conversation with myself about the commonly quoted expression by Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do one thing ever day that scares you". 

All was well, but I have to say I was quite unnerved by the whole situation.  I look back and think how ridiculous, and I am so glad I persevered! 

The cave really doesn't look that scary here, but I can assure you that it was much darker than this photo indicates! 

This is more like it, but looking down from the pier.

The resulting loveliness was worth it and I plan to return when I have more time to spend drawing on this little beach.

I particularly loved this cave.

Mullion Cove harbour from the cliffs

Sadly, the sky clouded up and the wind start to blow as I perched on some rocks, seen in the distance.  At about 6 pm I decided to call it a day and started to pack up, at which point, my drawing blew away!  Luckily it was trapped amongst some rocks, but I did have to carefully climb along the rocks to retrieve it! 

Here are some more drawings from my lovely day.

I included this one because you can see, it was done in great haste to beat the tide.

I decided to end my day at a more tranquil spot on Poldhu Cove, just around from Mullion Cove. The most scary thing that happened was that I got my feet wet!

Poldhu Cove, Cornwall

Old drawing of my son after his operation.

To celebrate Mother's Day, I have scanned an old drawing from a sketch book as I can see that it is fading fast! My son, Ralph had to have a minor operation when he was 3 and as I sat waiting for him to wake up I drew him. I just love those baggy lips!

I am wanting to get back to doing more drawing. I used to draw so much, but now I just paint! Happy Mother's Day to you all.